Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Rabindranath in America - Urbana, Illinois (contd-43)


 
It was decided by Tagore Circle that Rabindranth's lecture would be started on and from 17th Jan 1917. But this was changed due to the change of program of Rabindranath's tour. He arrived on 22nd Dec, 1916 instead of 17Jan, 1917.
This change was announced in "Daily Illini"  on 19th Dec :
" TAGORE MAY COME DURING VACATION  / NOTED HINDU POET AND EDUCATOR / IS FORCED TO CANCEL PREVIOUS ENGAGEMENTS / TICKETS "
Last time when he had come here, he had established friendship with many persons.After winning the Nobel prize his fame had been  increased many times. So, the news of his tour, announced by media,  to be cut short for going  home naturally was shocking to many and the news of his early arrival might compensate his admirers. Mrs. Seymour expressed this in her letter ;
" On a sunny afternoon three days before Christmus, Mr. TAgore arrived in Urbana, like a punctual guft, but one which could by no means be laid aside or postponed." She further added, " As he sat with his friends the second evening [23 Dec] after his arrival, he told how he had been hurried on from one city to another, 'through the desert land of hotels', and in no place had he been able to give his entire message. We sat breathless as he u folded his plan for us here. If we liked, he would read to us all the lectures he had prepared for this tour ... We had had thought of his visit to Urbana as a period of needed rest, a halt midway on a weary journey . We had felt how joyfully contended we should be just to have him in our midst and see him once again, and yet he had no sooner taken breathe than he was making this generous offer."
Rabindranath earned enough money by giving lectures in different cities and he stayed in Chicago and New York for many days but not continuously. But  Urbana got Rabindranath without paying any money and a continuous company of Rabindranath for nine days in which he read from his writings for seven days.